Those days have long gone and now we have BMW’s MINI in just about any form and variant that you could hope for … but one form of the MINI has been missing until now … the Roadster.

But now we have it … the MINI Roadster … a true 2-seat roadster that somewhat surprisingly MINI describes as delivering a “full-blooded go-kart feeling …”

The new MINI Roadster comes with a choice of three petrol and one diesel engine with either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission.

The engines
The MINI Cooper Roadster is the entry level version. It comes with a 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine with a variable valve control system that’s based on the Valvetronic technology used in BMW engines. That engine delivers 135kW of power at 5,500 rpm and maqximum torque of 160Nm cuts in at just 4,250 rpm and it will take the MINI Roadster to 100km/h in 9.2 seconds and deliver an average fuel consumption of 5.7L/100km

The MINI Cooper S comes with the addition of MINI TwinPower Turbo technology that allows the 1.6-litre engine to deliver 135kW of power at 5,500rpm and with the benefit of the Overboost function the Cooper S can hit 100km/h in 7.2 seconds. Average fuel consumption is 6L/100km.

If you want even more power then you’ll want the John Cooper Works MINI. It’s also powered by a 1.6-litre engine but this one delivers 155kW of power and peak torque of 260Nm cuts in at a low 1,850 rpm and that hurls the MINI up to 100km/h in just 6.5 seconds. Of course fuel consumption suffers a little but you’re still going to be laughing with an average fuel consumption of just7.3L/100km.

For those who do want economy there’s also a turbo-charge diesel engine available that develops 105kW of power and returns an average of 4.5L/100km. But don’t think that the diesel is something of a snail because it certainly isn’t. At 8.1 seconds to reach 100km/h it’s a whole second faster than the basic petrol model.

The body
Because this MINI is a genuine Roadster there’s no rear seat so that extra space has been added to the boot.

Other features of the new MINI Roadster include stainless steel rollover bars, reinforced windscreen frame, stiffening at the rear of the body shell and an active rear spoiler that deploys automatically at speeds in excess of 80km/h (it can also be manually deployed).

Rather oddly the MINI Roadster … a 2-seater … comes with three cup holders (at least that’s what the press release from BMW here in Australia says)  and surprisingly the soft top can only be deployed manually.

Safety and comfort
The MINI Roadster is fitted with all the safety features that you would expect … ABS brakes, electronic brake force distribution, cornering brake control, dynamic stability control with brake assist with hill start assist. Dynamic traction control and electronic differential lock control are optional on all models.

Head-thorax airbags built into the outer side of the seat backs are also included as is a tyre defect indicator.

To make driving more bearable for the occupants there’s air conditioning, height-adjustable seats, an audio system and electric mirrors as standard. Options include an upgraded audio system with navigation and an app that allows you to connection to all the Google and important social networks. Adaptive headlights, a multi-function steering wheel, heated seats, a rear luggage carrier rack and an on-board computer are also available too.

The interior
There’s a variety of seat and upholstery finishes to choose from and trim stips can be added to further customize the interior.

The price
That is yet to be announced.

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And it’s not just one of the entry level 1 Series that you have to buy to beat the tax … you can actually splash out and buy a Z4 Roadster and still not pay the tax. Of course not all Z4 Roadsters come in under the threshold for the tax … but the BMW Z4 sDrive28i certainly does.

It wasn’t always that way though but BMW has just turbocharged the entire Z4 Roadster range and replaced the previous six-cylinder engine with a four-cylinder donk and that has brought the price down.

The new Z4 sDrive28i replaces the Z4 sDrive30i and it hits the showroom floor with a retail price of $89,400 compared to $98,700 for the Z4 that it replaces.

And there’s also a smaller Z4 … the Z4 sDrive20i … that replaces the naturally aspirated Z4 sDrive23i and with a retail price of $76,900 that’s the cheapest Z4 on the market today.

The Z4 sDrive28i’s four-cylinder engine produces 180kW of power and 350Nm of torque. It takes the Roadster from 0 to 100km/h in just 5.7 seconds but manages to return fuel consumption figures of 8.5L/100km.

Obviously the Z4 sDrive20i’s engine is smaller but it still produces plenty of power … 135kW and 270Nm of torque. It’s also a miser when it comes to using fuel and delivers fuel consumption figures of 6.7L/100km.

Both engines are coupled to a six-speed manual transmission as standard but buyers can choose a new eight-speed Sort Automatic Transmission that includes unidirectional gearshift paddles.

So if you want to thumb your nose at the tax man and still drive a BMW Z4 roadster you can … just so long as you can wait till they hit the showroom floors in November.

However you definitely get something very special for that price … in fact the BMW 1 Series M coupe comes with a rather high level of standard features that include a professional navigation system, voice control, internet access, remote alarm system, adaptive xenon headlights, an outstanding sound system. M servotronic and M Drive.

And of course that list doesn’t include the leather upholstery, the multi-function steering wheel, an air-conditioning system that includes solar and condensation sensors. the set-up changes that happen simply by pressing a button and turn the car from a sedate coupe into a drifting, hard cornering little beast with an engine that will blow your socks.

Of course there’s even more … but then that’s what you would expect in a car that has a price tag that just manages to avoid reaching six figures.

The engine and transmission
Think what you could do with a 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder engine that includes twin turbos and direct injection that can take you from a standing start to 100km/h in just 4.9 seconds and now you’re thinking along the same lines as BMW.

That engine delivers 250kW of power at 5,900rpm (it will rev to over 7,000rpm) and 500Nm of torque and it’s already been proven in the M3.

While the engine has been around for a while the six-speed manual transmission is new. It features dry sump lubrication and is operated by what BMW describe as “a very short M gearshift lever.

To keep all that power under control the BMW 1 Series M coupe comes with a variable diff lock on the rear axle that provides up to 100 per cent locking power.

As I said earlier, this combination can hurl the 1 Series M Coupe from 0 to 100km/h and it can also take the car well beyond that speed. Add another 12.4 seconds and you’re doing 200km/h and at 250km/h the engine control system cuts in and hopefully saves you from killing yourself at the next corner.

Technology
The BMW 1 Series M Coupe is fitted with brake energy regeneration. This system concentrates the generation of electrical current for the vehicle’s power system to times when the car is coasting or braking.

Other energy saving measures include auxiliary units that only draw energy when active and that means that the 1 Series M Coupe is a car that’s miserly with the energy it creates and the less energy it’s called on to create the less fuel it’s going to use.

That means that this fire-breathing little monster and it’s inline six-cylinder engine uses just 9.6L/100km and produces a CO2 level of 224 grams per kilometre.

Safety
Standard driving stability systems include ABS and BMW’s own M Dynamic Mode, Cornering Brake Control, Brake Assist, fading compensation and the variable diff lock.

Inside the car there are front and side airbags for the driver and front passenger, head airbags for the front and rear occupants, crash-active headrests at the front, three-point automatic seat belts for all occupants, belt force limiters, belt tensioners for the front seats, crash sensors and a tyre damage display.

The 1 Series M coupe rides on distinctive 19-inch alloy rims.

So just because this BMW has a 1 in the model name don’t be fooled into thinking that this is an entry level beemer … it’s far more than that and it’s got a price tag to prove it.

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This is the 3.2-litre Evolution version of the E36 M3 and it’s perhaps the best version of the M3 that BMW produced and in this particular vehicle you’re looking at one of the best examples of the BMW M3 E36 on the road today.

There’s no doubt that the previous owners have been fanatical about keeping it in tip-top condition and the service history even records the type of wax used … and the intervals between polishes – by one of the owners who had it for 10 years.

The current owner has replaced the original suspension with Bilstein shocks, Eibach springs and reinforced strut top-mounts.

There were few accessories that you needed to fit to a 1996 BMW M3 E36 and this car’s standard features include:

• 10-speaker stereo
• ABS
• Front airbags for the driver and passenger
• Central locking
• Engine immobilizer
• Air conditioning
• Power door mirrors
• Power windows and
• Sports suspension

This BMW M3 is also fitted with leather trim, a factory-fitted electric sunroof , automatic climate control and a CD stacker in the boot.

This BMW M3 E36 is a genuine collector’s piece and there’s probably nothing quite like it on the roads today.

It’s also for sale for around $23,500 – it’s registered in NSW and at the time this written it had around 6 months rego – so if you’re interested email your contact details to Aussie Motoring using this link and we’ll pass those details on to the owner.

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We’ll see it for the first time in New York but we’ll have to wait till the end of the year to see it in models on the showroom floor … and ‘it’ is a completely new 2.0-litre, four-cylinder TwinPower Turbo petrol engine that puts out 176kW of power.

This new engine will cut fuel consumption and emission levels and be fitted with High Precision Injection plus a turbocharger powered via two exhaust ducts. It also includes variable camshaft control and BMW’s fully variable valve control system.

If you want to get your order in now then you need to tell your dealer that you want a BMW Z4sDrive28i

As you can see the BMW Drive ConnectedVision has a long flowing bonnet that slides into the windscreen seamlessly. The long wheelbase allows the passenger compartment to be set well back and that enhances those flowing lines I mentioned a moment ago.

The headlights don’t just throw light on the road ahead, they also house sensors that monitor the traffic situation and the environment as well. The headlight sensors are complimented by similar sensors located in the rear lights too.

Instead of wing mirrors there are antennas to transmit information to the outside world and BMW also uses them to capture navigational data.

The cockpit.
The BMW Vision ConnectedDrive features an enhanced heads-up display that delivers a three-dimensional display of information and icons that provide an visuall fusion of the actual view of the road ahead with virtual content.

For example, this augmented reality application projects information about the route precisely onto the location of a possible turn-off – in relation to the actual field of view. Information is displayed either in the foreground or in the background, depending upon its relevance and the current traffic situation.

BMW doesn’t see the future as a time when the cars we drive will no longer have the usual instrument cluster on the dashboard but it may be a time when the dashboard is a source of even more information than it is today. The cluster will also be updated by the heads-up display.

The BMW Vision ConnectedDrive is equipped with a freely programmable instrument cluster. The range and breadth of its functionality exceeds by far the display capabilities of classic cockpit instruments.

By means of a display, which also presents information in three dimensions, individual pieces of information can be optically emphasized to a greater or lesser degree depending upon the driving situation, in order to gain the appropriate amount of attention.

The passenger hasn’t been forgotten when it comes to visual displays of information and BMW even consider the passenger to be a co-pilot rather than just a passive lump in the extra seat. As a co-pilot he can evaluate information or address details for the navigation system received online and forward them to the driver’s instrument panel if necessary.

Just imagine that … a futuristic version of backseat driving without having to say a word.

The passengers … ah … co pilots … even has what BMW call “an Emotional Browser”. The Emotional Browser makes an even more varied and individually-tailored choice of information possible. During the journey, this system captures and filters additional information about the environment through which the vehicle is currently travelling, in terms of people, mood or location.

This personal configuration can be set at the start of the journey, but can also be adjusted on the road to be more or less detailed, to suit individual requirements.

Well I certainly do like the lines of the BMW Vision ConnectedDrive but I can sure live without some of those futuristic additions. Who needs an Emotional Browser … most guys can tell within a few seconds that the emotional temperature has turned from warm to frosty without the help of any cockpit display.

MINI isn’t promising anything though and at the moment they’re calling the MINI Rocketman a “study”. And it certainly is a study in versatility and driving fun.

The MINI Rocketman is just a tad over three metres long but it packs a lot into that small space. It’s also very light thanks to a carbon spaceframe construction and MINI engineers are suggesting that the Rocketman can be fitted with a drive system that will use just 3L/100km.

The doors are also interesting because they’re double-hinged and have intergrated sills so getting in and out of the MINI Rocketman is easy. The seats are contoured and can be arranged in a variety of different positions. This allows owners to choose between maximum driving fun two-up, a comfortable amount of room for three occupants, or even an exceptionally efficient division of space accommodating four seats.

At the rear there’s a two-part tailgate. The top part opens upward while the lower part opens downwards and extends to form a drawer.

I keep wondering what it's about to transform into

MINI describes the Rocketman’s silhouette as powerful and maybe it is but when you see everything opened up the first word that might spring to mind is “Transformers”.

The dashboard
A cockpit instrument, positioned above the steering wheel and directly in the driver’s field of view, houses the rev counter and on-board computer display.

The large-format Centre Speedo with peripheral speedometer and multifunctional colour display also adheres to the system logic familiar from the current range of production MINI cars as far as display arrangement is concerned.

In addition to multifunction buttons on the steering wheel, the current MINI also has a joystick on the centre console for operating vehicle-related, navigation, entertainment and communications functions. By contrast, the MINI Rocketman Concept concentrates all the control elements on the steering wheel so that the driver never has to take his hands off the steering wheel.

As with most concept cars, the MINI Rocketman certainly does look interesting and maybe one day we’ll have the chance to drive one off the showroom floor.

But if your wallet can handle the sticker shock then there’s an even better BMW 1 Series coming … the BMW 1 Series M Coupe … and it will set you back around $99,000 plus on-roads. For that price you’re going to get something very special and not something that every other upcoming exec will be driving.

In fact, in Australia, there’s only going to be 100 of these units offered for sale and they are going to be in demand because this isn’t just any 1 Series Coupe … this according to BMW is history in the making.

Based on BMW’s highly-successful 1 Series Coupé, the BMW M car gains a wider stance with sculpted, flared wheel arches. The body work is 55 mm wider than a 135i M Sport and accommodates a wider front and rear track (front: +71mm, rear: +44mm) and the standard 19-inch M light-alloy wheels in Y spoke design (front: 9J 245/35, rear: 10J 265/35). Other trademark BMW M design motifs include M side ‘gills’ and quad exhausts.

The BMW 1 Series M Coupé features an in-line 6 cylinder engine with not one but two exhaust turbo chargers of identical size. Based on BMW’s multi award-winning three-litre engine, this BMW M power plant sees an increase in engine output to 250kW. 450 Nm of torque is available from just 1500 rpm, with an additional 50 Nm on tap by means of an overboost function.

The BMW 1 Series M Coupé sprints to 100km per hour in just 4.9 seconds. In case you missed that just let me say it again … the BMW 1 Series M Couple will slam you into your seat as it takes you to 100km/h in under 5 seconds.

Now if you’re going to drive a car like this one you probably aren’t going to be too worried about fuel consumption but just in case you are Fuel saving technologies from BMW’s EfficientDynamics technology stable, all of which are standard on the BMW 1 Series M Coupé, include brake energy regeneration, high precision injection and needs-based control of auxiliary units.

Combined fuel consumption is 9.6 litres over 100 kms, and CO2 emissions are a mere 224 grams per kilometre.

A newly developed six-speed transmission has been specially designed to interact with the high torque engine, yet weighs just 43 kilograms, making it far lighter than conventional transmissions.

The BMW 1 Series M Coupé comes with a variable M differential lock on the rear axle as standard. With up to 100% locking power, drive torque is distributed as required and offers maximum acceleration when exiting a corner.

The BMW 1 Series M Coupé features BMW M’s trademark ‘M Dynamic Mode’, which is activated through a button on the instrument panel. This ensures that DSC interventions occur later but with greater impact. M Dynamic Mode enables exceptional handling through corners and allows drivers to fully exploit the car’s perfect chassis balance.

As you might expect in a car worth $99,000 there aren’t many options because just about everything but the hot babe in the passenger seat is standard.

The interior features fully electric sports seats trimmed in black ‘Boston’ leather with orange contrast stitching. Alcantara trim, also with orange contrast stitching, is appears throughout the cabin, including the instrument panel scoop, handbrake and gear shift gaiters, dashboard and doors.

Standard equipment features include adaptive Bi-Xenon headlights, LED rear lights, automatic climate control, 300 watt 10-speaker harman/kardon surround sound system, Professional navigation system including voice control, high resolution 8.8-inch display and 12 GB memory for audio files, internet functionality and a remote alarm system.

The car also features an upgraded version of Bluetooth connectivity, which in combination with compatible mobile phones allows occupants to access e-mails, calendars, task lists and SMS messages on the high resolution display while the vehicle is stationary. The car can also read these aloud via the audio speakers using the narrator function when on the move.

The BMW 1 Series M Coupé is available in three exterior paint finishes. Alpine White non-metallic is standard and customers can choose from two metallic options, Sapphire Black or Valencia Orange, which is unique to this model.

And if this is the car of your dreams then you have until June 2011 to arrange the finance because that’s when the BMW 1 Series M Coupe hits the showrooms here in Australia.

Engine and transmission
If you’re greedy and you want elegance, performance and fuel economy in something a little bigger than a car then it looks as though the BMW X3 is the vehicle that’s going to give you what you want.

The new BMW X3 xDrive20d features a straight four-cylinder turbo-charged 2.0-litre diesel with Common Rail direct injection. Power output is 135kW at 4,000 rpm and maximum torque of 380Nm is achieved between 1750 rpm and 2750 rpm. 0 to 100km/h can be done in 8.5 seconds and the top speed is 210 km/h. And you get all that for a combined consumption figure of just 5.6L/100km.

Standard transmission for the xDrive20d is a six-speed manual gearbox while an eight-speed automatic transmission is available as an option.

The new BMW X3 xDrive35i is fitted with a turbo-charged direct injection straight six-cylinder 3.0-litre petrol engine that features BMW’s Valvetronic system. Power output is 225kW at 5,800 rpm and maximum torque of 400Nm is available between 1200 rpm and 5000 rpm. 0 to 100km/h can be done in 5.7 seconds and top speed is 245km/h. Average fuel consumption is a sweet 8.8L/100km.

A sports automatic transmission with shift paddles on the steering wheel is available as an option on the xDrive35i.

Auto Start Stop is standard on both the manual and automatic versions of both the diesel and petrol variants.

Ride and handling
The new BMW X3 comes with permanent four-wheel drive technology as standard. The electronic control unit for the four-wheel drive is interlinked with the Dynamic Stability Control and this makes adjustments for oversteer or understeer.

The suspension on the new X3 has been completely redesigned with a double-joint spring-strut axle at the front and five-link axle at the rear as well as a 92mm wider track than the previous X3.

Electronic Power Steering is now standard on all X3 variants while sports steering is an option on both variants.

Dynamic Damper control is another option for the new X3. If this option is fitted electronically controlled dampers adapt to the road surface conditions and the driver’s style of driving. The driver can influence the characteristics of the damper control by means of a button on the dash that allows the driver to choose between normal, sport and sport plus modes

The body
BMW describes the flowing lines of the new X3 as “urban elegance” and you would have to agree … this is a very elegant looking vehicle but with 212mm of ground clearance it’s also a vehicle that will be able to handle some quite rough off-road conditions.

Of course the body incorporates all the design features that you would expect to see on a BMW and that means that you’re not going to mistake the new BMW X3 for anything other than a BMW.

Interior
An image is worth a thousand words when it comes to describing the dash on the new X3 so check the photo.

The raised seating position for the driver and front passenger means that slipping into and out of the X3 is going to be easy and the driver is going to get a good view of world around him.

The rear seats have a 40:20:40 split folding capability that offers a variety of seating and luggage arrangements. With all rear seats in the upright position the X3 has 550 litres of luggage space and 1600 litres of luggage space with all three rear seats folded down.

Standard features on the new BMW X3 include automatic climate control, heated external mirrors, leather-clad steering wheel, an audio system that includes MP3 and AUX capability, smart key and onboard computer.

Options include dual-zone climate control, rain sensor and automatic headlight control, automatic dimming interior and exterior mirrors, upgraded audio systems, upgraded navigation system, automatic tailgate operation and an electrically operated sunroof.

Safety features
Safety features on the second generation BMW X3 include large progressive crumple zones to absorb energy in case of an impact, six airbags, active headrests, three-point seat belts for all occupants and belt latch tensioners.

The X3 is also equipped with dynamic brake lights that warn drivers who might be traveling behind of an emergency braking situation and a flat tyre indicator while the six-cylinder version is also fitted with run-flat tyres.

All that adds up to a vehicle that many of us would love to drive but whether we could afford to remains to be seen. Australian prices will be announced closer to its Australian launch.

And a BMW built in Spartanburg, South Carolina? I’m still trying to get my head around that one.

BMW suggests that the long bonnet, short overhangs and, the longest wheelbase in it’s segment combined with a steeply inclined roofline all go together to give the BMW 5 Series Touring an elegance that others in the segment just can’t match. And there’s no doubt that this is a very classy looking station wagon.

Ride and Handling
The BMW 5 Series Touring features pneumatic suspension and automatic self-leveling on the rear axle as standard while Optional Dynamic Driving Control, Adaptive Drive and Integral Active Steering are options that could be hard to pass on. The optional Dynamic Driving Control allows drivers to set up the vehicle’s suspension to suit their individual requirements.

Engine Choices
The new 5 Series Touring comes with your choice of two straight-six petrol engines, a four-cylinder or a six-cylinder diesel with power outputs ranging from 135kW for the four-cylinder diesel through to 225kW for the bigger of the two straight-six petrol engines and 180kW for the six-cylinder diesel.

All engines comply with the EU5 emission requirements and the four-cylinder diesel comes with Auto Start Stop as standard. Regardless of which engine option you choose you then have the option of BMW’s eight-speed automatic transmission.

Safety
The new BMW 5 Series Touring comes with a full suite of features to make driving more of a pleasure than a chore. There’s Parking Assist, Surround View, collision warning with brake activation in conjunction with Active Cruise Control, Lane Change Warning, Lane Departure Warning, Speed Limit info, High-beam Assistant, BMW Night Vision with people detection and a Heads-up Display.

I guess it won’t be long before having a human driver is downgraded to an optional extra.

There’s no word yet on when the new BMW 5 Series Touring will reach Australia but it looks like a vehicle that is definitely worth waiting for.

But while other manufacturers are thinking small … perhaps right down to micro … for their city vehicles BMW sees things a little differently.

The BMW Megacity Vehicle will be BMW’s first series-prodcution electric-drive model to hit the market. “With this innovative vehicle, designed from the ground up, we will be creating new benchmarks for electric mobility from 2013 on. Our Megacity Vehicle will be significantly lighter than conventional cars and, in terms of sustainability, will set a new standard across the entire value-added chain,” said Norbert Reithofer, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG, on Thursday ahead of the Auto China 2010 show in Beijing.

The Megacity Vehicle will be a zero-emission urban car for the world’s metropolitan regions. It is currently being developed as part of project i and will be available from 2013 under a sub-brand of BMW. When it comes to the choice of materials, the company is broaching entirely new territory. This is because weight plays a pivotal role in the range achievable by electrically driven vehicles. The ultra-light yet high-strength composite CFRP (carbon fibre-reinforced plastic), for example, plays a significant part in the materials mix.

“This vehicle will radically alter the motor industry as we know it. The BMW Group is currently the only company that will be launching a volume-production vehicle on the market that features carbon fibre-reinforced material,” explained Reithofer. “We were among the first manufacturers to pick up on the trend towards electric mobility and to act accordingly. More and more people around the globe are very keen on electric driving. Research shows, moreover, that more than half of the population around the world already live in conurbations,” Reithofer added.

The BMW Group has been gleaning insights into the day-to-day use of electric vehicles since mid-2009, when it launched a global field test involving more than 600 MINI E models. During the test phase some 50 MINI E cars are also being delivered to customers in China in 2010.

“I am convinced that our Chinese clients will show the same enthusiasm for the vehicle as MINI E drivers in Germany, the USA and Britain,” emphasised Reithofer. 2011 will see the handover to Chinese customers of a further fleet based on the BMW Concept ActiveE. The renowned China Automotive Technology and Research Center (CATARC) and the state-owned energy supply company State Grid are involved as partners in the preparation, implementation and assessment of the practical use of these vehicles. The project has the backing of both the Chinese and the German governments.

The results will filter into the development of electrically powered vehicles for the Chinese market. “In the future we will also be offering a New Energy Vehicle in China. This will be developed and produced locally together with our joint venture partner Brilliance,” stated Reithofer.

BMW gathered its first experiences with electric-drive vehicles some 40 years ago courtesy of a modified BMW 1602 that led the long-distance walking and marathon running events in the 1972 Summer Olympics. In subsequent decades this alternative drive technology was further pursued using many mobile test beds, including the revolutionary BMW E1.

Now if you’re wondering just what is a Sports Activity Vehicle then this is BMW’s definition … and seeing as how they have created the term I guess they’re entitled to create the definition. So BMW says that a Sports Activity Vehicle is a “…premium compact SUV that offers a superior driving experience and class leading fuel efficiency.”

To achieve all that in a compact SUV BMW have combined the advanced technology of BMW Efficient Dynamics and the latest generation fuel-efficient turbo diesel engines with the intelligent xDrive all wheel system.

BMW says that the new X1 will appeal to “young urban customers with an active and varied lifestyle”.

The only problem though is that it doesn’t really look like an SUV … from the images it looks too low and too sleek for anyone who wants an SUV although the price may be attractive to those who want what the BMW X1 offers and the badge to go with it.

Two models in the X1 range
When the X1 hits the showroom floors here in Australia on April 10 buyers will have two all-wheel drive models to choose from. The all-w2heel drive X1 xDrive23d is powered by a turbo diesel that delivers 150kW of power and 400Nm of torque and the X1 xDrive20d that generates 130kW of power and 350Nm of torque.

A rear-wheel drive 2.0-litre petrol version of the xDrive20d together with a smaller four-cyclinder petrol model and a six-cylinder model will be released in June.

All models in the X1 range will feature BMW EfficientDynamics technologies including Brake Energy Regeneration, Optimum Shift Indicator and Auto Start/Stop function to increase fuel efficiency and lower emissions.

Engines
The xDrive23d is powered a 2.0-litre turbo diesel that will accelerate the vehicle from 0 to 100km/h in 7.3 seconds and give a top speed of 205km/h. The average fuel consumption for a combined cycle is 6.3L/100km.

This engine incorporates twin turbochargers with a small one that cuts in as soon as the accelerator is depressed and a larger one that cuts in as the engine load increases.

A six-speed Steptronic automatic transmission is standard on the xDrive23d.

The xDrive20d is powered by the same engine but incorporates a single turbocharger that comes with variable intake geometry. The BMW X1 xDrive20d will do 0 to 100km/h in 8.4 seconds, has the same top speed as the xDrive23d and give a combined cycle fuel consumption figure of 5.8L/100km.

The BMW X1 xDrive20d comes with a six-speed manual transmission as standard while the six-speed Steptronic automatic transmission is available as an optional extra.

Prices for the xDrive20d start at $52,700 (plus dealer charges and state taxes) for the manual and peak at $54,900 (plus dealer charges and state taxes) for the automatic.

The xDrive23d only comes in one version and its price will be $59,280 (plus dealer charges and state taxes). The petrol versions coming in June start at $43,500 plus charges and taxes.

Interior
The BMW X1 has a wheelbase of 2.76 metres while the body is 4.45 metres long overall and that means that there is plenty of room inside the vehicle for five people and their luggage.

There is room in the BMW X1 for 420 litres of luggage space. The rear seat is split 40/20/40 and each part can be folded forward separately in increase the luggage space to a total of 1,350 litres. The low loading sill at the rear means that loading items into the luggage space is quite easy.

BMW have also included a storage space below the floor of the luggage area and there are numerous smaller compartments, trays and cupholders throughout the cabin.

A four-speaker plus bass sound system is fitted to the X1 but there are several optional extras offered to upgrade this system. Other options include a choice of two navigation systems, sports front seats and heated front seats.

An optional glass roof is also available as is an Adaptive Bi-Xenon headlight system that includes automatic dimming when other cars approach.

Safety
The BMW X1 comes fitted with 330mm discs brakes on the xDrive23d and 300mm disc brakes on the xDrive20d and both versions are fitted with an ABS systems that includes Brake Assist and Cornering Brake Control that stabilizes the vehicle when cornering

Six airbags are fitted and they include a full-length curtain head airbag for front and rear passengers. All seating positions are fitted with three-point seatbelts with belt tensioners while the driver and passenger have the added protection of belt force limiters.

The X1 has already achieved the maximum five-star rating in the EuroNCAP crash test.

BMW offer a rear-view camera and front parking sensors as options in the X1 while a rear Park Distance Control is standard. Rain-sensing wipers and automatic headlights are also fitted across the range.**

So that’s what BMW likes to call a Sports Activity Vehicle but whether it really is a whole new market segment is something I’ll leave up to you.

** Correction made 14.11.10

Design
According to the press release the design of the new BMW 5 Series Touring is “characterised by a high level of individuality with dynamic and powerful looks. With its long bonnet, short overhangs, the longest wheelbase in its segment, the stretched silhouette and a steeply inclined roofline, the new BMW 5 Series Touring possesses elegance unrivalled by its competitors”.

Versatility
The BMW 5 Series Touring has a multi-functional interior and the new BMW 5 Series Touring is fully equipped to meet the most diverse demands. The luggage compartment has a capacity of 560 litres. The luggage space can be increased to a maximum of 1,670 litres by 40:20:40 split folding rear seats, something that’s unique in this segment. The backrest angle is variable by up to 11 degrees and it can be folded down using two control levers inside the luggage compartment. The loading space cover automatically lowers when the tailgate is closed. The separately opening rear window automatically swings upwards at the push of a button.

The driving experience
The BMW 5 Series Touring features advanced drivetrain and suspension technologies ensure a sdports feel and a high level of motoring comfort. Optional Dynamic Driving Control enables drivers to set the suspension individually to their personal requirements. The new BMW 5 Series Touring features as standard, pneumatic suspension on the rear axle, including automatic self-levelling. Adaptive Drive and Integral Active Steering are optionally available.

The new BMW 5 Series Touring will make its debut with a choice of a straight-six petrol engine as well as a four-cylinder diesel. The BMW 520d Touring is powered by a 135 kW four-cylinder diesel power unit featuring an aluminium crankcase and Common Rail direct injection. It is equipped with an eight-speed automatic transmission with Steptronic as standard. With an average fuel consumption of 5.3 litres/100km and a CO2 emission level of 139 g/km in an EU test cycle, it achieves the best efficiency in its segment.

The straight-six with BMW TwinPower Turbo, High Precision Injection and VALVETRONIC in the BMW 535i delivers maximum output of 225 kW and accelerates from 0-100 km/h in just 6.1 seconds.

All versions of the new BMW 5 Series Touring fully comply with the EU5 requirement.

BMW EfficientDynamics
Both versions of the new BMW 5 Series Touring arrive standard with BMW’s eight-speed automatic transmission. Like the electro-mechanical power steering EPS is fitted on all variants and it makes an additional contribution towards efficiency. BMW EfficientDynamics measures comprise Brake Energy Regeneration, demand-dependant ancillary components and active air flap control. An intelligent lightweight construction is obtained through doors, bonnet, front side panels, drivetrain and suspension components made of aluminium.

BMW ConnectedDrive
The spectrum of features offered by BMW ConnectedDrive including; Parking Assistant, Surround View, collision warning with brake activation in conjunction with Active Cruise Control, Lane Change Warning, Lane Departure Warning, High-beam Assistant, BMW Night Vision with pedestrian recognition as well as Head-up Display.

Joint development and production together with the BMW 7 Series.
The BMW 5 Series Touring is based on a newly developed vehicle architecture also used for the BMW 7 Series luxury sedans. Joint production of the BMW 5 Series Touring, the BMW 5 Series Sedan, the BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo and the BMW 7 Series at the BMW Dingolfing Plant, combined with the extensive use of shared components, ensures highly efficient production incorporating maximum possible quality standards.

The new generation BMW 520d Touring and BMW 535i Touring are scheduled to arrive in Australia in October this year. Specification and pricing will be announced closer to launch.

Now BMW MINI has announced that the Countryman will hit the showroom floors in Germany in September this year with a choice of three petrol and two diesel engines developing between 66kW and 135kW. The all-wheel drive version of the Countryman will be available in both petrol and diesel variants.

And the cost? The base petrol model will be carrying a price tag of 20,200 euros (around $A31,000) … the base diesel model will be on sale for 22,000 euros (around $A34,500) while the petrol and diesel all-wheel drive versions will start at 27,900 euros (around $A43,300)

I know it was long ago but I seem to recall that I paid something less than $2,000 for my first Mini … and it was only 2 years old.

Featuring a range of technology and comfort features frequently ordered by customers, the new package replaces the Executive models, simplifies the customer ordering process and further improves the value equation of Australia’s best selling luxury SUV.

A new convenience feature marks its debut in the Innovations package too. Unique to the BMW X5 in its segment, Top View provides drivers with an even more comprehensive and complete picture of the car and its immediate surroundings.

In addition to the rear view camera and Park Distance Control (PDC) sensors, Top View uses two cameras in the side mirrors which send data on the car and its surroundings to a central computer. This then provides an overall picture presented in the Control Display showing the car and its surroundings from a bird’s eye perspective. This clear overview then enables the drive to manoeuvre precisely even in confined space.

Joining rear view camera with new Top View function on the list of features for the Innovations package is automatic tailgate operation, exterior mirrors with automatic anti-dazzle function including fold-in and parking function, electric seat adjustment for front seats including memory for driver’s seat with electric steering column adjustment, control display with 8.8-inch colour monitor and Professional Navigation including television function and voice control, Bi-Xenon headlights including headlight washer system, High beam assist and USB audio interface.

Pricing for the Innovations package is $11,200 when ordered in conjunction with the X5 xDrive30i and X5 xDrive30d, or $9,500 if ordered in combination with the Sport or M Sport packages. The Innovations package of items normally retail for over $16,600 when ordered individually.

The package is also available on the X5 xDrive35d for $2,900 and includes automatic tailgate operation, Bi-Xenon headlights including headlight washer system, High beam assist and USB audio interface, with the remainder of items already making up the list of standard features. Finally, the package can also be ordered with the X5 xDrive48i for $1,200 and includes automatic tailgate operation and USB audio interface.

Coinciding with the introduction of the new Innovations package, BMW has taken the Professional Navigation System on the X5 (as well as X6) to a new level with a new iDrive Controller – with one-touch keys – and a completely new menu structure. It now comes with an 8.8-inch high resolution colour monitor offering full screen mode for viewing maps; three-dimensional relief maps, DVD drive, and an integrated 80 GB hard disc drive. This allows the storage of up to 12 GB of audio files from CD or USB devices.

Navigation data is now stored in the system itself and therefore a navigation DVD is no longer requires. Updates of the navigation data can be completed at the dealership via the car’s USB interface. The iDrive also features eight favourite buttons, allowing drivers to take a short cut to their preferred settings.

The BMW 130i is the big winner of the long-term test ranking by one of Germany’s leading car journals, Auto Bild.

Covering 100,000 kilometres or more than 62,000 miles without the slightest problem, BMW’s sporting compact not only achieved the best result throughout the whole of 2009, but also took over overall leadership among all cars ever tested over this distance.

In response, the professional car testers gave the BMW 130i their 1+ grade (equal to AAA) and acknowledged BMW’s sporting performer as the “Best Auto Bild Long-Term Test Car of All Time”.

Apart from highlighting the car’s supreme reliability, the testers also praised the outstanding driving pleasure offered by their car, commenting in particular about the powerful, fast-revving and very efficient straight-six power unit.

This perfect result achieved by the BMW 130i is the most outstanding outcome of the numerous long-term tests conducted by Auto Bild in 2009.

BMW’s five-door 130i completed its 100,000km marathon within approximately 1.5 years, covering both short trips and long journeys on the autobahn. The car completed this demanding challenge without the slightest incident and with both oil consumption and brake pad wear remaining extremely low throughout the entire test period.

In their final report the testers also acknowledged the high level of quality they consistently enjoyed with the BMW 130i even after its ongoing stress test. Their bottom line was that this “zero-defect car” did not show even the slightest signs of wear and tear.

All models in the BMW 1 Series combine reliability with premium quality and driving pleasure.

The BMW 130i offers particularly impressive sportiness and performance with its 3.0-litre straight-six power unit featuring fully variable VALVETRONIC valve management and maximum output of 190 kW/258 hp.

Accelerating from a standstill to 100 km/h in 6.1 seconds, this outstanding five-door compact, thanks to its wide range of technologies based on BMW EfficientDynamics, consumes an average of just 8.5 litres/100 kilometres (equal to 33.2 mpg imp) in the EU test cycle.

Those sleek lines are hard to ignore and now the BMW 3 Series Convertible and 3 Series are about to become even more appealing.

First images released by the world’s leading luxury manufacturer of the new BMW 3 Series Coupé and Convertible provide an insight into the look of the new class leading models.

At first glance the distinctive changes include design changes to the front, side and rear to give both sporting models an even more dynamic and athletic appearance.

Coupled with the design changes, select models will also receive engine revisions, increasing both power and efficiency as well as fulfilling EU5 emission standards.

At the front the new BMW 3 Series Coupe and Convertible receive new dual round headlights with light rings and light bars, redesigned front bumper and bonnet, an even greater three-dimensional kidney grille and trim bars in the lower front air-dam finished in silver.

To the side the lower sill has been redesigned and at the rear a newly designed bumper and two piece L-shaped light cluster with new LED-fed lights complete the picture.

New exterior colours, a modified range of leather upholstery as well as innovative entertainment functions from BMW ConnectedDrive are further highlights offered by the new BMW 3 Series Coupé and Convertible.

The new BMW 3 Series Coupé and Convertible are scheduled to arrive in Australia in mid 2010. Model variants, specification and pricing will be announced closer to launch.

Of course that was way before my time … as I keep pointing out to the other person who inhabits our office.

Now of course times have changed … we’ve got Clubmans, Coupes, Cabriolets … that strange Mini Beachcomber … the one that takes our guy back to the days of his youth and a 3 metre surfboard strapped to the roof of his 1966 Mini … and now there’s yet another MINI … the Mini Countryman and it even comes with an all-wheel drive version called the MINI ALL4. Whichever variant you buy of the Mini Countryman that the press people at MINI want to assure you that the MINI Countryman “maintains the go-kart feeling” of all those other versions.

“Go-kart feeling”?? You want to may heaps of dollars for a car that delivers a “go-kart feeling”? Sometimes I worry about the PR people that work in the auto industry.

Anyway lets take a look at this new MINI that they call the MINI Countryman.

Well not only does it have drive to all four wheels but it also has something else that no other MINI has every had before … four doors. Yep this is a genuine four-door MINI … and it also comes with a larger tailgate too. Of course you can’t really fit four doors and a larger tailgate into the MINI that we’re so used to so the MINI Countryman is larger and comes with more ground clearance too.

Despite making the MINI Countryman larger they’ve still managed to make it look like a MINI. There’s the wheel-on-every-corner design … the big round headlights … those huge wheel arches and the upright tail light clusters.

Inside the MINI Countryman you will find that the seating position for the driver and passenger has been raised slightly … a very positive attribute for old Mini lovers who’s hips are starting a get a bit stiff. The are two individual seats in the rear and each comes with fore and aft movement and if you simply must have a bench seat there MINI provide one as a free option.

The rear seats … whether it’s the individual seats or the bench seat don’t fold flat but they do fold down to provide added luggage space. With the rear seats in the upright position there’s just 350 litres of storage space and with the rear seats folded down that space is increased to 1,170 litres. Hmmm I wonder what those figures translate into in terms of bales of hay?

The Mini Countryman will be available with a choice of three petrol and two diesel engines and all of them comply with the latest European emission rules. The power from this range of engines goes from 66k/w in the MINI One D right up to 135kW in the MINI Cooper S Countryman.

The top of the range petrol engine for the MINI Countryman is a 1.6-litre four cylinder version that comes with a twin-scroll turbocharger, direct fuel injection and fully variable valve management. All engines are coupled to a six-speed manual gearbox as standard but there is also a six-speed automatic box availabe for the petrol engines.

If you really want to get off road in the MINI Countryman then you’re going to need the MINI All4 permanent all-wheel drive variant that’s available as an option in the MINI Cooper S Countryman and the MINI Cooper D models. If you choose this option you get a MINI Countryman that comes complete with an electro-hydraulic differential that’s positioned directly on the final drive. It varies the distribution of power from front to rear in ratios that are continually changing according to the conditions. In extreme conditions up to 100 per cent of the engine’s power can be directed to the rear wheels.

Unlike the Minis of old … back when they were fitted with sliding windows … the new BMW MINI Countryman comes with model-specific features that are exclusive to the MINI Countryman including interior colours, trim strips and upholstery and together they supplement the standard features that include air conditioning and full audio system.

There’s also a wide range of options that all owners to customise their vehicle and they include navigation systems, high-end audio systems, mobile phone interfaces, a sunroof, adaptive headlights, heated windscreens, a towbar (although you would have to wonder whether the MINI Countryman is going be rated to tow anything but the skin off a rice pudding), sports suspension that lowers the vehicle (hmmm why would you want to lower a vehicle that’s meant to be driven off your average road?) and a wide range of John Cooper Works performance bits and pieces.

And that’s what makes up the MINI Countryman … a very interesting development in the ongoing MINI story.

The Top Gear crew have also done a review of the BMW X6 and it’s worth watching because … well every review is personal or should be. It’s what the reviewer feels about vehicle and Jeremy Clarkson obviously didn’t like the BMW X6 … but that doesn’t necessarily mean that the X6 is a dud.

It may just mean that Clarkson was looking at the vehicle from the wrong perspective. After all you wouldn’t really expect something like a Hyundai Tucson City to perform well off-road because, even though it may look like an off-road vehicle, it wasn’t really designed with that in mind … and nor was the X6.

Clarkson has valid points but are all of them really applicable to the BMW X6?

The BMW Concept ActiveE is based on the new BMW 1 Series Coupe and it’s a precursor of a second second trial fleet of electric vehicles that will be leased to selected private and fleet customers as part of a large-scale field test. The insights gained from these tests will be used in the development of an electrically powered production vehilce.

The BMW Concept ActiveE has allowed BMW to explore new vehicle packaging solutions and components which will be crucial to the success of the Megacity Vehicle. The intelligent integration of drive components within the existing vehicle package of the BMW 1 Series Coupe offers the opportunity to provide four full-size seats and a luggage compartment with a capacity of some 200 litres / 7 cu ft.

The motor, specially developed for the model and located in the rear axle, delivers 125 kW/170 bhp and provides maximum torque of 250 Nm / 184 lb-ft. It accelerates the vehicle in less than 9 seconds from zero to 100 km/h (0-60 mph in approx. 8.5 seconds).

The electric drive system draws its energy from new, advanced lithium-ion battery packoptimiz developed jointly by BMW and the co-operation partner SB LiMotive especially for the BMW Concept ActiveE. They enable a range of approx. 160 kilometres (100 miles) in everyday use. An intelligent battery management system helps achieve this range largely independently of external climatic conditions. Additionally, the charging period required for the lithium-ion batteries is very short.

On the European power grid, the battery pack can be fully charged in just 3 hours at a wall box with a current of 50 ampere at 230/240 volts. In North America, using a high-current (32 ampere continuous) residential wall box, the charge time is about 4.5 hours.

Electric drive
The BMW Concept ActiveE offers the prospect of characteristic BMW driving pleasure without exhaust emissions. The requirements for electro-mobility with characteristic BMW properties are being created based on ongoing development in the powertrain. The latest outcome is a new synchronous electric motor tailored to the BMW Concept ActiveE. It offers a high level of efficiency, power delivery, and compact construction.

The maximum output of the new electric drive is 125 kW/170 bhp. The maximum torque of 250 Nm / 184 lb-ft is available from a standstill as is typical for electric motors. The torque remains available over an unusually broad load range. Unlike asynchronous electric motors, the new power unit provides a relatively high level of torque even at higher engine speeds and road speeds; at increased load the torque is not reduced abruptly but decreases gradually. The torque curve at higher engine speeds is therefore much more similar to the pattern familiar from combustion engines.

The vehicle concept and drive system provide the agility and dynamic acceleration performance that you would expect in a BMW 1 Series Coupé. Based on realistic simulations, a figure of less than 9 seconds was measured for the sprint from zero to 100 km/h (0-60 miles in 8.5 seconds), with the 60 km/h mark being reached after less than 4.5 seconds. The maximum speed of the vehicle is electronically limited at around 145 km/h or 90 mph.

The innovative character of the electric drive is also reflected in the optimized ratio between engine output and space requirements: the compact power package is fully integrated in the rear axle of the BMW Concept ActiveE. Here the drive system occupies the space required in conventional vehicles by the differential, whose function is integrated in the drive system.

Recharging during deceleration increases range
As soon as the driver’s foot is removed from the accelerator, the electric motor performs the function of a generator, converting the vehicle’s kinetic energy into electric power and storing it in the battery pack. Intensive use of this feature by the motor increases the range by up to 20%.

At the same time, a brake torque is created which results in effective deceleration of the vehicle. This response enables a very comfortable driving style, especially at medium and constantly varying speeds. In urban traffic, some 75 percent of all deceleration maneuvers are initiated without the need for the brake pedal. During Brake Energy Regeneration function, the vehicle’s brake lights are illuminated.

This brake effect acts on the rear wheels only. When the driver requires a higher level of deceleration, stepping on the brake pedal engages the conventional hydraulic braking system. If an emergency braking maneuver is required during braking, the Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) system applies selective braking and motor management measures to ensure that safe braking is always guaranteed.

The brake system is fitted with an electric vacuum pump which is activated on demand. Along with the Electric Power Steering (EPS) familiar from the production models of the BMW 1 Series, these features contribute to an increase in the overall efficiency of the vehicle.

Unique lithium-ion battery pack with its own liquid cooling
The lithium-ion battery pack specially developed for this vehicle supplies energy to the motor and all other functions of the BMW Concept ActiveE. The high-voltage battery units offer a particularly high storage capacity and durability.

For the first time, storage cells are used which were developed especially for use in automobiles by the BMW Group in collaboration with the co-operation partner SB LiMotive. Powerful battery cells are key when it comes to designing production vehicles with electric drive. Through the collaboration of the BMW Group with a joint venture of the companies Bosch and Samsung SDI [SB LiMotive], leading expertise in the area of battery technology and electro-mobility has been brought together. The aim is to use the best available technology in the area of energy storage as part of the development of the Megacity Vehicle.

For some time now, lithium-ion technology has demonstrated its particularly high storage capacity and deep-cycle resistance – for example in mobile phones and laptops. The technological expertise of SB LiMotive ensures that these properties are retained even under the special conditions of use in an automobile and the relevant demands in terms of durability, endurance and safety.

The lithium-ion batteries of the BMW Concept ActiveE have their own liquid cooling system and intelligent battery management system, which are key elements in increasing both the storage capacity and the durability of the battery cells.

These systems also ensure that the long range can be maintained largely independent of external climatic conditions. The high storage capacity is the decisive factor in achieving as long a range as possible. The storage system developed for the BMW Concept ActiveE enables a real-world range of about 160 km / 100 miles on a single charge, depending on conditions (FTP72 cycle range is calculated to be 240 km / 150 miles in simulation).

Another special feature of the battery pack is its outstanding compactness, despite its output and capacity. The arrangement of battery cells, grouped into several modules, is ideal in terms of packaging, functionality and vehicle balance. The battery pack is located where a combustion engine and fuel tank would normally be located.

The largest portion of the battery pack in the BMW Concept ActiveE is located where the conventional propshaft and fuel tank would be in the lower section of the vehicle. In addition, a portion of the battery pack is located where the combustion engine would normally reside. Using intelligent lightweight design and the highly-efficient lithium-ion battery cells, vehicle curb weight is limited to about 1800 kg / 3900 lbs.

Improved driving characteristics
The positioning of the battery pack shifts the vehicle’s center of gravity downwards. Also, the battery cell layout within the vehicle preserves the near 50-50 weight distribution characteristic of BMW vehicles. In this respect, the BMW Concept ActiveE offers ideal conditions for driving experience characterized by a high level of agility.

The optimum positioning of the power electronics above the motor integrated in the rear axle, for reasons of safety and functionality, results in a reduction of trunk capacity. Nonetheless, the BMW Concept ActiveE still has a luggage compartment which provides considerable versatility in everyday use. With a volume of approx. 200 litres / 7 cu ft, it even exceeds the trunk capacity of the BMW 1 Series Convertible with an open top and can hold two 46-inch golf bags, for example.

Power electronics control and monitor vehicle functions
The power electronics of the BMW Concept ActiveE regulate the supply of electrical current to the motor at the required amperage and voltage. It also controls the supply of energy to the vehicle power network. By means of a voltage transformer and an intelligent battery management system, a reliable supply of power to all vehicle functions is ensured, including the comfort and entertainment features familiar from the production model of the BMW 1 Series. Drive components, energy supply, and battery pack comply with the integral safety standards for electric vehicles as defined by the BMW Group.

Central monitoring functions integrated both in the power electronics and the battery pack ensures the continuous monitoring of all components. The driver is immediately informed of malfunctions and if necessary there is an automatic system discharge and shutdown.

Modern charging technology
The consistent development of serial production vehicles with electric drive also includes innovative solutions for flexible, user-friendly charging of the energy storage systems in the vehicle in a way which is appropriate to everyday use. The lithium-ion battery pack of the BMW Concept ActiveE can be recharged using a range of different power sources. This means that the vehicle is not dependent on a specific charging station and energy of varying power levels can be fed into the battery pack according to availability. Any conversion required is taken care of by the high performance battery control system.

This gives the driver considerably greater flexibility in using the vehicle. In addition to using a high amperage wall box – a supply system installed in the user’s home optimized to reduce charging times– it is also possible to use conventional power outlets or publicly accessible charging stations made available in co-operation with energy suppliers. In this way, stopovers can be used to extend the travel range of the vehicle when needed.

The lithium-ion batteries of the BMW Concept ActiveE set a new benchmark for energy storage systems in electric vehicles. Regardless of the voltage and amperage available, they build up a remarkably high energy capacity within a very short time. On the European power grid, the battery pack can be fully charged in just 3 hours at a wall box with a current of 50 ampere at 230/240 volts. In North America, using a high-current (32 ampere continuous), 220 volts residential wall box, the charge time is about 4.5 hours.

Comfort features
In conjunction with the powerful battery technology, the concept of a purely electrically powered vehicle presents additional opportunities for the integration of innovative comfort features. For the BMW Concept ActiveE, a special heating and air conditioning system was developed which is supplied with energy from the high-voltage battery via the vehicle power network.

The fact that the heating system and air conditioning compressor are electrically powered means that the desired temperature can be provided inside the vehicle even when it is stationary. The driver can heat or cool the interior before a trip using the auxiliary heating or air conditioning system – an option which is available when the vehicle is connected to a charging station and the battery is fully charged. This ensures that the range is not reduced by the comfort function, but in fact increased. The reason for this is that the energy required for heating or cooling the vehicle within existing connection to the power supply does not need to be drawn from the battery during travel.

The air conditioning systems developed for the BMW Concept ActiveE can also be activated via mobile phone. This option also includes a timer function so the driver can ensure that the vehicle is conveniently pre-cooled or pre-heated before getting into it in the morning, for example. Climatic pre-conditioning optimizes not only ride comfort but also the operating status of the energy storage system in the sense that it maximises the range of the vehicle.

The control of the heating and air conditioning system by mobile phone is made available through BMW ConnectedDrive. The BMW Concept ActiveE demonstrates the extensive range of options for using these services with the full integration of a smartphone connection into the vehicle infotainment system.

Remote control functions via BMW ConnectedDrive
In addition to the intelligent remote controlled operation of the auxiliary heating and air conditioning, BMW ConnectedDrive offers additional services specially developed for the BMW Concept ActiveE. The main focus here is on the user-friendly and practically oriented relay of precise information on the condition of the vehicle.

No matter how far he is from the vehicle, the driver can obtain details of the charge status of the lithium-ion battery and the range of travel this permits. The remote control functions also provide support in searching for a nearby public charging station.

The configuration of the remote control functions is specifically oriented to use scenarios arising in everyday traffic. For example, the driver can go shopping or eat at a restaurant while the vehicle is supplied with electrical current at a charging station. Within a very short time the driver can obtain information on the current charge status of the batteries by mobile phone.

The driver can also determine how much charging time is required for the batteries to achieve sufficient energy capacity for the trip home, thus allowing other activities to be planned. Providing sufficient charge is available, the driver can also activate the heating and air conditioning during an excursion when the battery is fully charged and the vehicle is connected to the power supply. In this way a pleasant temperature can be generated inside the car within just a few minutes and in good time before setting off.

Additional trips can also be conveniently prepared using the innovative remote control functions. For example, the driver can check the charge status of the vehicle batteries and the currently available travel range while at his workplace or sitting in a café. This makes it quick and convenient to find out whether an additional trip can be made before driving home before the energy supply runs out.

The driver gains additional flexibility in being able to search for public charging stations in the vicinity of any given location. Based on the information relayed to the mobile phone, he can quickly determine whether a spontaneously planned stopover can be used to charge the vehicle batteries.

Design: unmistakably a BMW 1 Series Coupe
The technology of the BMW Concept ActiveE is highlighted through unique design features. The BMW Concept ActiveE is unmistakably based on the BMW 1 Series Coupe, well-known for its outstanding agility and efficiency but it is also obviously a very unique vehicle The distinctive appearance is partly created by the concept-specific rear apron which is completely closed, demonstrating that the vehicle is entirely emissions-free due to the lack of an exhaust system.

There is a recognisable differentiation from the production model of the BMW 1 Series Coupe with the body finish in Liquid White metallic, as well as graphic elements derived from printed circuits in Electric Blue on the hood, doors, roof and trunk lid, as well as the lettering “ActiveE”, “eDrive” and “Efficient Dynamics” on the doors and side panels. The following elements also reflect the special character of this electrically powered vehicle: a blue illuminated charging connection behind a translucent filler cap, a glowing blue roof fin and kidney rods finished in blue.

Blue rings on the tyres also make for a visual enlargement of the 18-inch wheel rims.

In the interior, individual details highlight the distinctive style of the study and are functionally associated with the electric drive. Among other things, the interior of the BMW Concept ActiveE has special leather seats with embossed graphic elements and blue contrasting stitching. The instrument panel and door trim panels have strips in Liquid White. The decor strip in the instrument panel is finished with a three-dimensional rear-lit ActiveE graphic. The blue illuminated start/stop button and the selector lever knob emblem in White/Blue round off the overall graphic concept. What is more, the instrument panel and the central display have been enhanced to monitor the electric drive.

Instead of the tachometer there is a battery capacity display in the instrument panel. The current charge status of the battery pack is shown in percent. There is also a second instrument which shows how much current is being drawn from the battery as well as the amount of energy being fed back into the battery from Brake Energy Regeneration.

In addition to the familiar features, the central information display also has a battery level indicator, an active system status display function and the positions of the nearest electric charging stations.

In the luggage compartment, an illuminated plexiglass screen provides a view of the power electronics of the electrical drivetrain. The charge cable is housed conveniently in an additional storage compartment between the left-hand wheel arch and the power electronics.